Scene efficiency - You should find a way to mash your main plots and subplots together to make one awesome scene Main plot: central core conflict Subplot: supporting plots 2:04 (quote of the video) Important scenes should be efficient - Ideally you want your main plots and subplots to overlap as often as possible, especially in the stories larger moments Warning: Don’t overdo it… find balance - you don’t want every single scene to incorporate your main plots and subplots Example: The Matrix Main plot - Is neo the one Subplots - Mentor - Slight romance - Betrayal (that bald white guy) Key to good plot - The main plot is constantly present and you support it with subplots that enhance the story
One of my favorite movies is Fantasic Mr. Fox, and it contains a beautifully efficient scene with Mr. Fox's wife confronting him before the heist on Bean's cider cellar. It incorporates the main plot (Foxy provoking the farmers as part of his midlife crisis), but as well as multiple subplots (the tension between Foxy and his wife, as well as his blatant favoritism for Kristofferson over his own son).
Very insightful video. My favorite movie would properly be The Dark Knight. During the fundraising scene we see the main conflict of Bruce's desire to find someone to take the mantle as Gotham's protector. He's literally helping Dent financially so this may be accomplished. We also see the romantic subplot between him and Rachel on the balcony, which ties nicely into his goal of a life beyond Batman when she promises him that she will be there for him once he hangs up the cape. And then we of course have his conflict against the Joker (at least the physical one) when him and his goons "crash the party." Thanks for the video.
9:21: An example of this comes from Get Out. SPOILERS! In the scene, The subplot is when the MC meets with a blind guy called Jim Hansen. He's a photographer, just like the MC and they talk about how Jim gets help from an assistant, describing everything in great detail to him. They also say that life aren't fair, which links to the main plot that what the white people do to the Balck people, taking over their minds and their lives, isn't fair. This is further linked up by the fact that Jim is in on it too, wanting Chris' body for his own, so he can see again. It's a great movie and I recommend you see it. This is one way of doing it, but does it also count when you have the main character from the main plot being in the background of a certain character's subplot and visa versa? Because I want to try it with my own story.
Ironman 1. At the party Paper pots wearing the blue backless dress in that scene the romance plot going when tony go to get drinks and he meets with the reporter and then the main plot kicks in.
What's you favorite movie? Can you name one scene that includes BOTH the main plot and subplot(s)? Let us know. Also, whats your favorite Spider-Man movie? I need to know.
Favorite spiderman movie... Probably the 2nd one, i do however like the 3rd alot as well. But my favorite movie though is Lotr. Main plot is destroying the ring, but the movie has many subplots, like my favorite, Gimli getting his 3 hairs 😁😁
right now i would say the TV series monster is my favorite with its main plot being a doctor saves a life of the most dangerous mastermind murderer and years later he discovers it and tries to stop him whilst also trying to discover why he did it.one of the sub plots is him saving the murderers sister from the murderer.i cant really explain much because i am only around 8 out of 70 episodes in right now but it has a setup for an amazing mystery thriller.i would have to re-watch the spider man movies to see.my most favorite spider man show however is spectacular spider man
I say Sister Act. The main plot begins with a lounge singer who goes into protective hiding in a convent, with the subplot of her, pseudonym Sister Mary Clarence, using her musical talents to take over the church choir, that brings the congregation back to life.
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty Thanks. Sometimes, I hear people say that this story has not plot.... which has added to my confusion. Maybe they don't know what a plot is either. I look forward to your next video. I am learning lots.
@@thornmollenhoff8698 Yeah it's a tricky subject. I'm doing some research into it now, and definitions vary. For me, plot has always been a component of story. Should have a video ready within the next 2 weeks.
For whatever reason, UA-cam auto-deleted your comment in my Prologues video. Totally up to you if you want to re-post it (I pasted it below). Either way, thanks for watching! "Favorite prologue: "Zodiac" perfect music, atmosphere, sets the story in motion"
UA-cam deleted another one of your comments on my Setups/Payoffs video. Not sure why they hate you haha but if you want to be entered in the audiobook giveaway, let me know
can't give a positive example, because I haven't thought about it like that before. same with books, too many subplots tend to drive me away. sometimes the extreme negative is when a subplot seems to be connected at first glance, but is further ignored by the MC(s) and has no impact otherwise on the story at all. I tend to forget such episodes, but there was one book by a german author, writing within the world of Shadowrun, where I finished the book to see if there WAS a connection. but there wasn't.
Instead of a movie, I want to point Prey (the video game) out. This game has a great main plot, but unlike many games, it manages to overlap the secondary quests pretty well with the main quests.
Great vid. Please can I ask a question in regards to scene breaks? I have a large cast with quite a few main characters and I am writing in 3rd person multiple. My question is, in each chapter how many scene breaks could I literally get away with when changing POV? Is 2 scene breaks per chapter too many?
How long are your chapters? Two scene breaks per chapter should be totally fine, but if you have a bunch of short chapters that are broken up into several parts, you might run the risk of your story having Batman vs Superman Syndrome.
@@WriterBrandonMcNultythanks for the reply. Roughly my chapters are somewhere between 5 - 10 pages. If my chapter is around 5 pages I could get away with one scene break to change POV but if it is around 10 pages then I could get away with two scene breaks would you say? Or should I up it a little more on the pages e.g. 7 pages = 1 scene break and maybe 12 pages = 2 scene breaks? What you reckon?
@@peterheyes8552 Here's what I would suggest... Try writing it the way you think is best, and see what your beta-readers think. If they have trouble following or if they get exhausted from all the scene-swapping, dial things back. It's hard to say what's "right" because storytelling is so subjective. Go with your gut, see if that works for your readers, and revise as needed. For what it's worth, Kurt Vonnegut has a number of books with super-short chapters, and he had a lot of success with that style.
I would like to see a video on what movies you recommend as all good examples of great dialogue, good writing, good plot and good subplots. The idea is to give an example of the best key points in writing. This is a great example would like to see more. A friend on my wiriting loves my ideas and subpolts but says my dialogue is very weak. Need more help on that
in the story i''m making i think the main plot would be the protagonist runs away from his over obsessive mom after he injects himself with something that gives him superpowers (his power is that he will set on fire if he gets negative emotions and it spreads further and gets hotter the more negative it is and when he injects himself his mom punished him for doing so and he bursts into flames destroying a building)and a subplot would be the protagonist trying to get over porn porn addiction and the mindset he got of woman from that addiction so he can get a girlfriend as well as trying to figure out how to live on your own without relying on a parent.another one would be his mom being forced to live without him and has to come to the fact that the protagonist can survive on his own.i added another character i was gonna make the villain but i figured the protagonists mom is a better villain.i think i should keep the character he could be an interesting side character on how i wrote him.right now im just recapping my planning to figure out some possible consequences for actions and stuff like that.
That concept sounds awesome. You might want to check out the book Allison by Jeff Strand. It's about a Carrie-esque woman with psychic powers who isolates herself because she doesn't want to hurt people with her powers (which are tied to her unruly emotions)
I was expecting a pedagogical approach to writing complexes scenes, you know, the nuts and bolts. But no, you analyzed Spiderman which was of little use. To me, at least.
Would you like me to do a nuts & bolts video on complex scenes? Let me know what specific things you'd like me to cover, and I can brainstorm a new video
Scene efficiency
- You should find a way to mash your main plots and subplots together to make one awesome scene
Main plot: central core conflict
Subplot: supporting plots
2:04 (quote of the video)
Important scenes should be efficient
- Ideally you want your main plots and subplots to overlap as often as possible, especially in the stories larger moments
Warning: Don’t overdo it… find balance
- you don’t want every single scene to incorporate your main plots and subplots
Example: The Matrix
Main plot
- Is neo the one
Subplots
- Mentor
- Slight romance
- Betrayal (that bald white guy)
Key to good plot
- The main plot is constantly present and you support it with subplots that enhance the story
Thanks for this! Also loved that you tagged a "quote of the video"
I love how you called Joe Pantoliano, aka Joey Pantaloons, "that bald white guy" 😂. And thanks for this summary. It is great
Subplots helps us writers and readers give depth and understanding on all characters 😎👍
Spot-in. If you want depth, you want subplots.
I'd give you a Grammy for best info video! Thank you, Brandon, for ANOTHER super informative, perfectly edited, and seamlessly smooth flowing video!
Oh wow, I haven't noticed this about Spider-Man 2 even if I have seen it 3 times, this is gonna be very useful
Glad it helped!
One of my favorite movies is Fantasic Mr. Fox, and it contains a beautifully efficient scene with Mr. Fox's wife confronting him before the heist on Bean's cider cellar. It incorporates the main plot (Foxy provoking the farmers as part of his midlife crisis), but as well as multiple subplots (the tension between Foxy and his wife, as well as his blatant favoritism for Kristofferson over his own son).
Very insightful video. My favorite movie would properly be The Dark Knight. During the fundraising scene we see the main conflict of Bruce's desire to find someone to take the mantle as Gotham's protector. He's literally helping Dent financially so this may be accomplished. We also see the romantic subplot between him and Rachel on the balcony, which ties nicely into his goal of a life beyond Batman when she promises him that she will be there for him once he hangs up the cape. And then we of course have his conflict against the Joker (at least the physical one) when him and his goons "crash the party." Thanks for the video.
Lots of great overlap in that scene
9:21: An example of this comes from Get Out. SPOILERS!
In the scene, The subplot is when the MC meets with a blind guy called Jim Hansen. He's a photographer, just like the MC and they talk about how Jim gets help from an assistant, describing everything in great detail to him.
They also say that life aren't fair, which links to the main plot that what the white people do to the Balck people, taking over their minds and their lives, isn't fair. This is further linked up by the fact that Jim is in on it too, wanting Chris' body for his own, so he can see again.
It's a great movie and I recommend you see it.
This is one way of doing it, but does it also count when you have the main character from the main plot being in the background of a certain character's subplot and visa versa? Because I want to try it with my own story.
Really appreciate the comparisons to movies
This video took a long time to edit, but I didn't mind the effort because Spider-Man 2 is such a classic. Glad you enjoyed, and thanks for watching!
Ironman 1.
At the party Paper pots wearing the blue backless dress in that scene the romance plot going when tony go to get drinks and he meets with the reporter and then the main plot kicks in.
This is great stuff. You should have 1 million views on this one.
Aunt May’s speech is my favorite part of this movie.
The train fight scene is 2nd.
Spider-Man 2 one of my favorite movies and made Spider-Man one of my favorite characters.
What's you favorite movie? Can you name one scene that includes BOTH the main plot and subplot(s)? Let us know.
Also, whats your favorite Spider-Man movie? I need to know.
@Denizen OfTheDepths I've honestly never seen Shaun of the Dead. Adding it to my list.
@Denizen OfTheDepths Added. Thanks
Favorite spiderman movie... Probably the 2nd one, i do however like the 3rd alot as well.
But my favorite movie though is Lotr. Main plot is destroying the ring, but the movie has many subplots, like my favorite, Gimli getting his 3 hairs 😁😁
@@PuppetMaster-Blade Haha yeah LotR is heavy on subplots because of its scope
right now i would say the TV series monster is my favorite with its main plot being a doctor saves a life of the most dangerous mastermind murderer and years later he discovers it and tries to stop him whilst also trying to discover why he did it.one of the sub plots is him saving the murderers sister from the murderer.i cant really explain much because i am only around 8 out of 70 episodes in right now but it has a setup for an amazing mystery thriller.i would have to re-watch the spider man movies to see.my most favorite spider man show however is spectacular spider man
I say Sister Act. The main plot begins with a lounge singer who goes into protective hiding in a convent, with the subplot of her, pseudonym Sister Mary Clarence, using her musical talents to take over the church choir, that brings the congregation back to life.
But doesn't the subplot kind of overtake the main plot there?
@@TomorrowWeLive Main plot is actually her transforming others and transforming herself. The criminals is subplot.
I am having difficulty with what exactly is a plot vs story. A video on what a plot is if you don't already have one. Good Video by the way.
I'll get one done in the coming weeks.
Short answer: Plot is a part of Story.
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty Thanks. Sometimes, I hear people say that this story has not plot.... which has added to my confusion. Maybe they don't know what a plot is either. I look forward to your next video. I am learning lots.
@@thornmollenhoff8698 Yeah it's a tricky subject. I'm doing some research into it now, and definitions vary. For me, plot has always been a component of story.
Should have a video ready within the next 2 weeks.
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty I look forward to seeing the video when it comes out.
@@thornmollenhoff8698 Next week!
Great stuff amigo
Thanks for watching!
For whatever reason, UA-cam auto-deleted your comment in my Prologues video. Totally up to you if you want to re-post it (I pasted it below). Either way, thanks for watching!
"Favorite prologue: "Zodiac" perfect music, atmosphere, sets the story in motion"
UA-cam deleted another one of your comments on my Setups/Payoffs video. Not sure why they hate you haha but if you want to be entered in the audiobook giveaway, let me know
can't give a positive example, because I haven't thought about it like that before. same with books, too many subplots tend to drive me away. sometimes the extreme negative is when a subplot seems to be connected at first glance, but is further ignored by the MC(s) and has no impact otherwise on the story at all. I tend to forget such episodes, but there was one book by a german author, writing within the world of Shadowrun, where I finished the book to see if there WAS a connection.
but there wasn't.
How do I develop a main plot like Peter Parker VS Spiderman? I thought the main plot of that film was Parker VS Octopus
Instead of a movie, I want to point Prey (the video game) out. This game has a great main plot, but unlike many games, it manages to overlap the secondary quests pretty well with the main quests.
How do you fix the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Great vid. Please can I ask a question in regards to scene breaks?
I have a large cast with quite a few main characters and I am writing in 3rd person multiple. My question is, in each chapter how many scene breaks could I literally get away with when changing POV? Is 2 scene breaks per chapter too many?
How long are your chapters? Two scene breaks per chapter should be totally fine, but if you have a bunch of short chapters that are broken up into several parts, you might run the risk of your story having Batman vs Superman Syndrome.
@@WriterBrandonMcNultythanks for the reply. Roughly my chapters are somewhere between 5 - 10 pages. If my chapter is around 5 pages I could get away with one scene break to change POV but if it is around 10 pages then I could get away with two scene breaks would you say? Or should I up it a little more on the pages e.g. 7 pages = 1 scene break and maybe 12 pages = 2 scene breaks? What you reckon?
@@peterheyes8552 Here's what I would suggest... Try writing it the way you think is best, and see what your beta-readers think. If they have trouble following or if they get exhausted from all the scene-swapping, dial things back.
It's hard to say what's "right" because storytelling is so subjective. Go with your gut, see if that works for your readers, and revise as needed.
For what it's worth, Kurt Vonnegut has a number of books with super-short chapters, and he had a lot of success with that style.
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty thank you so much.
@@peterheyes8552 Anytime
My chilhood movies are still my favourite films 20 years later. Haha stand by me, the lost boys, scream!
Useful video.
Thrilled to hear it helped! Thanks for watching
I would like to see a video on what movies you recommend as all good examples of great dialogue, good writing, good plot and good subplots. The idea is to give an example of the best key points in writing. This is a great example would like to see more. A friend on my wiriting loves my ideas and subpolts but says my dialogue is very weak. Need more help on that
What do you think of the Harry Potter formula, which is to have the main plot and one major subplot but they don't interact until the very end?
in the story i''m making i think the main plot would be the protagonist runs away from his over obsessive mom after he injects himself with something that gives him superpowers (his power is that he will set on fire if he gets negative emotions and it spreads further and gets hotter the more negative it is and when he injects himself his mom punished him for doing so and he bursts into flames destroying a building)and a subplot would be the protagonist trying to get over porn porn addiction and the mindset he got of woman from that addiction so he can get a girlfriend as well as trying to figure out how to live on your own without relying on a parent.another one would be his mom being forced to live without him and has to come to the fact that the protagonist can survive on his own.i added another character i was gonna make the villain but i figured the protagonists mom is a better villain.i think i should keep the character he could be an interesting side character on how i wrote him.right now im just recapping my planning to figure out some possible consequences for actions and stuff like that.
That concept sounds awesome. You might want to check out the book Allison by Jeff Strand. It's about a Carrie-esque woman with psychic powers who isolates herself because she doesn't want to hurt people with her powers (which are tied to her unruly emotions)
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty I will give it a read it sounds interesting
@@potatomanboooi3105 It's a quick, easy read. If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty cool
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty does kindle unlimited cost money
Watched Age of Ultron the other day and thought it was drowning in subplots.
I was expecting a pedagogical approach to writing complexes scenes, you know, the nuts and bolts. But no, you analyzed Spiderman which was of little use. To me, at least.
Would you like me to do a nuts & bolts video on complex scenes? Let me know what specific things you'd like me to cover, and I can brainstorm a new video
First comment
Hero.
@@WriterBrandonMcNulty yes
CGI didn't age well? Are you kidding?